Matthew J. Palas, based in Chicago, IL, is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in corporate strategy, business development, sales, and management. In 2010, he founded Monumental Alliances, a medical device distributor and medical billing consulting company, before establishing Assurant Fire Protection in 2017, growing it to over 60 employees and achieving annual revenues exceeding $15 million. In 2020, he acquired the fire pump division of Complete Pump Service Co. Inc., forming Complete Fire Pump Service LLC, which experienced significant growth, reaching $3 million in revenues in 2022 and pacing for $4 million in 2023. In September 2023, Matt orchestrated the sale of Assurant Fire Protection and Complete Fire Pump Services to Abry Partners, remaining as a shareholder and president of both entities while serving on the executive team within Better Protection LLC, the management team for Abry Partners’ fire protection division.
Matthew’s journey began after graduating from the University of Wisconsin River Falls with honors in 2001, where he earned a BA degree in Marketing Communications and a minor in Psychology. Throughout his career, he held various sales and management positions, gaining valuable experience with companies such as Synthes Spine, Ortho-McNeil (a Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical company), and Independent Software Enhancement Specialists (ISES). Notably, his exceptional performance led to several recognitions, including Rookie of the Year and Rep of the Year.
Matt’s impactful tenure at Cardiovascular Systems, Incorporated (CSI) saw him rise from a district sales manager to a Regional Field Trainer, where he transformed an underperforming geography into one of the top five in the country within six months. His stellar performance earned him a place on the National Sales Advisory Board, where he collaborated with C-level executives to devise and execute company-wide sales strategies. Prior to CSI, Matt excelled at Stryker Spine/Orthovita, overseeing biologics sales across multiple states and negotiating contracts with major healthcare systems.
Beyond his corporate roles, Matthew is deeply passionate about new business development and has been actively involved in numerous venture capital/private equity investment deals, raising over $10 million in capital. His entrepreneurial spirit and extensive business network drive him to seek new opportunities and elevate the fire protection industry to new levels of quality and innovation.
Character: Matthew J. Palas is a respected executive known for his integrity, passion, and dedication to driving business success with honesty and transparency.
Knowledge: With over two decades of experience in corporate strategy, business development, and sales, Matthew possesses a deep understanding of industry dynamics and market trends, making him a valuable asset in decision-making processes.
Strategic: Matthew demonstrates exceptional strategic thinking, adeptly navigating complex business challenges and seizing opportunities to drive sustainable growth and profitability for his ventures.
Communication: As an effective communicator, Matthew fosters collaboration and alignment among stakeholders, ensuring clear and concise communication to facilitate smooth operations and achieve desired outcomes in all his endeavors.
